Martin Johnson factfile

The England coach Martin Johnson: 'We need to be smart' (AFP/ GETTY IMAGES)

Martin Johnson today resigned as England team manager. Here, we take a closer look at his career...

1970: Born March 9, Solihull.

1989: Makes senior Leicester debut.

1993: Makes England debut against France at Twickenham after Wade Dooley injury. England win 16-15.

June - Dooley's injury on Lions tour of New Zealand means an unexpected call-up. Plays in final two Tests.

1994: Plays first full Five Nations campaign but concussed during England tour of South Africa, forcing him to return home early.

1995: Enjoys Grand Slam glory and is only England forward to play throughout six-match World Cup campaign in South Africa.

1996: Marks 25th cap with first England try against Italy in Five Nations match at Twickenham in November.

1997: Helps England win a third successive Triple Crown.

April 2 - Named Lions captain for South Africa tour.

June - Leads from the front as the Lions win the first two Tests, taking the series 2-1.

August - Appointed Leicester captain.

November - Suspended for one Test for throwing a punch at Justin Marshall in the 25-8 defeat by New Zealand at Old Trafford.

1998: Plays in all four Five Nations matches as England finish second behind France.

1999: Appears to stamp on the throat of John Leslie in the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham but only receives yellow card from Irish referee David McHugh.

June - Appointed England captain by coach Clive Woodward.

October - Skippers England to the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they are beaten by South Africa in Paris.

2000: Sits out the entire Six Nations campaign with an Achilles injury.

June - In outstanding form as England have the better of a 1-1 series draw in South Africa.

December - Banned for 35 days by RFU for off-the-ball challenge on Duncan McRae in a Tetley's Bitter Cup tie against Saracens.

2001: February - Leads England to Six Nations wins against Wales, Italy, Scotland and France. Grand Slam decider against Ireland postponed because of outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

May - Leads Leicester to Heineken Cup final win over Stade Francais in Paris.

June - Becomes first player in history to captain the Lions on two different tours, when he leads them in three-Test series against world champions Australia. Lions win first Test in Brisbane, then lose next two.

2002: February 9 - Sin-binned during Leicester's league win at Saracens, although television footage shows him punching Robbie Russell, leaving the Saracens hooker requiring six stitches to cut beneath left eye.

February 21 - Banned for three weeks at RFU hearing.

March 5 - Johnson's appeal against RFU ban dismissed.

May 26 - Lifts the Heineken Cup for second successive year as Leicester beat Munster 15-9 in Cardiff.

2003: March 30 - Leads England to a 42-6 victory over Ireland at Lansdowne Road to win Six Nations Grand Slam.

June 14 - Captains England to a 15-13 win against New Zealand in Wellington - first success against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil for 30 years.

June 21 - On the field again as the national side beat Australia 25-14 - their first-ever win in Australia.

November 22: Becomes first England captain to lift a World Cup after a dramatic 20-17 victory over hosts Australia in Sydney.

December 31: It is announced he will receive a CBE in the 2004 New Year Honours list.

2004: January 17 - Confirms retirement from international rugby at Leicester's Heineken Cup game with Ulster.

January 26 - Announces he will retire from club rugby at the end of the season.

May 14 - Plays last game of professional rugby in Leicester's 39-14 defeat to Wasps in the Zurich Grand Final.

2006: November - Tipped as potential replacement for sacked England head coach Andy Robinson, with the job eventually going to Brian Ashton.

2007: April - Johnson reveals he has been approached over a role with the RFU but he insists "the time isn't right".

2008: April 16 - Named England team manager with effect from July 1, having secured a deal until December 31, 2011.

2009: England finish second in first Six Nations under Johnson after wins against Italy, France and Scotland and defeats against Wales and Ireland.

2010: England beat Wales and Italy but lose to Ireland and France and draw with Scotland to finish third in the Six Nations.

June 19 - England beat Australia 21-20 in Sydney.

November 13 - England beat Australia 35-18 at Twickenham.

2011: March 19 - England win the Six Nations by beating Wales, Italy, France and Scotland but miss out on a Grand Slam by losing their final match against Ireland in Dublin.

September 10 - England open World Cup Pool B campaign with a 13-9 win over Argentina.

October 1 - England complete their group matches with a 16-12 win over Scotland, having at one stage trailed to their great rivals.

October 8 - England crash out of World Cup with a 19-12 defeat against France in Auckland.

November 16 - Johnson resigns as England team manager with a record of 21 wins, 16 defeats and one draw.

PA